Sports targeting system

ABSTRACT

The multidimensional interchangeable modular ball game apparatus/sports targeting system is used for building game playing skills, such as hand-to-eye and foot-to-eye coordination. The apparatus can be used for throwing, kicking or hitting any type of sports ball or projectile and can help with practicing all types of sports, as well as with early childhood development and rehabilitation. The apparatus includes a base with a stem extending from the base. Multiple stems and/or bases may be joined for use with hoops and targets of various sizes, shapes and colors, made of open or closed nets, hard or soft backboard(s). Arms of different lengths are supported on the stem. The arms may also be placed at different heights on the stem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a ball game apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to an interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus that has a variety of hoops, goals and targets.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are literally a limitless number of ball-based games that have been developed in the marketplace. These games utilize a wide variety of balls, shapes, hoops, backboards, goals, etc. with a variety of features such as bells, flashing lights or movement of the goals. Many of these game apparatus are reflected in the related art. Pertinent samples of such related art are cited and identified in the accompanying IDS. However, none of the cited and identified related art, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe a sports targeting system as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an improvement of Applicant's invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,011,310 B2 issued on Mar. 14, 2006. As in the patented invention, the present invention is an interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus used for developing game-playing skills, such as hand-to-eye and foot-to-eye coordination. The apparatus can be used as a goal, bounce back or target for throwing, kicking or hitting any type of sports ball or projectile and can help with practicing all types of sports, as well as with rehabilitation and early childhood development. The apparatus includes a base with a stem channel or post extending from the base. Arms or rails of different lengths are removably supported by the stem channel and may be placed at different selected heights. Hoops, targets, goals, bounce backs (hard and soft), etc. of varying sizes and colors can be attached to the arms and/or to the top of the stem. Targets of varying sizes can be superimposed on top of others to provide varying degrees of difficulty or accuracy. The targets can be flat, concave or convex so to vary the return angle of the ball. The arms on the apparatus may be tilted so that the hoops can be positioned in any manner suitable for the user. The apparatus may be portable or permanently attached to a floor, ceiling or wall(s) of a structure, cemented or placed into a sleeve in the ground.

Accordingly, the invention presents a game targeting apparatus that is easily adjustable and is adaptable for use with goals, hoops and targets of different shapes and sizes. The invention includes a plurality of structural elements that are joined in adjustable fashion, similar to an erector set. The system also includes hinges, pivots, wheels and similar structure to allow for movement and angular adjustment of the targets. Movement of larger targets can be assisted with manual or adjustable ratchets or by a wheeled-type carriage that travels vertically on a tracked stem or horizontally on a tracked channel or rail. The invention provides for improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

A clear understanding of the present invention will become readily apparent upon review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sports targeting system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adjustable stem having a top channel according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial view of an embodiment of an adjustable stem having a sleeve according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable stem without the sleeve according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial view of an arm channel with hinges according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial view of an embodiment having a hinge mounted to an adjustable stem according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial view of an arm mounted for ratcheting movement on an adjustable stem according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial view of an embodiment employing a self-locking arm according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment employed to support a bounce back target.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a wheel adapted to travel on a track in the stem or in a channel.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment incorporating a track for the wheel of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment employing a wheel in a vertical track arrangement

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to FIG. 1 wherein the target apparatus of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. Target apparatus 10 comprises a base 20 and a stem 30 extending upward from the base 20. The base 20 is a flat plate or planar member. The stem 30 may be supported on the base 20 in any convenient manner, e.g., by a tube or saddle adapted to receive the bottom of the stem 30, by screwing the stem 30 onto mounting holes provided in the base 20, or by welding the stem 30 straight onto the base 20. The base 20 may be held to the ground or surface upon which the base 20 is to rest by using anchoring holes or the like built into the base 20 and an anchoring means 22 for anchoring the base 20 to the ground. Preferably the stem 30 is bolted to the base 20, but in permanent installations the stem 30 may be fixed to the base 20 by welding or other joinery techniques. As indicated above, the base may be secured to a wall, floor or ceiling of a permanent structure. Furthermore, in lieu of a base, the stem can be embedded in concrete, sand, etc.

The stem 30 can be fabricated from either round, railing, channel, strut or square tubing. The stem 30 may be furnished in an assortment of selected heights, such as four, six, or eight feet. The stem 30 may support at least one hoop 12 a directly mounted thereon in any convenient manner. Other hoops, goals or targets 12 b, 12 c, 12 d and 12 e are supported from a plurality of arms 32. As illustrated, arms 32 are adjustably mounted on stem 30. Arms 32 are adjustable to various lengths. Arms 32 can also be fabricated from either round railing, channel, strut or square tubing.

FIG. 2 is illustrative of an embodiment of the invention wherein stem 30 is vertically adjustable. Respective upper and lower members 30 a and 30 b are telescopically arranged for vertical adjustment. Plural openings 34 are spaced along the length of each member 30 a, 30 b. When members 30 a, 30 b have been adjusted to a desired height, a bolt 35 or similar device is inserted through aligned openings 34 in each member to retain the stem at the desired adjusted height. Arm supporting channels 36 (only one is shown) are removably mounted on stem 30 by means of a bolt or the like. Openings 36 a are formed along the length of the channel to enhance adjustability and versatility.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 3 wherein an embodiment of the invention incorporates a sleeve 40 encompassing stem 30. A horizontally-oriented channel member 42 is attached to sleeve 40. Sleeve 40 is attached to the stem by means of conventional fasteners 42 a. Plural openings 42 b are spaced along the horizontal length of channel member 42. A vertically-oriented channel member 44 is removably attached to horizontal arm channel member 42 by means of conventional fastener(s) 44 a. Vertical channel member 44 is provided with openings 44 b spaced along the vertical length thereof. An arm support member 46 is removably attached to channel member 44 by means of conventional fasteners 46 a. Arm support member 46 is provided with spaced openings 46 b.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 is similar to that of FIG. 3. The sleeve 40 has been omitted and horizontal channel member 42 is attached directly to stem 30 via plate 48. A hinge member 49 is disposed at the end of channel member 42 whereby arm members 32 can be pivotally attached thereto for desired adjustment.

As best seen in FIG. 5, hinges 50 can be spaced along the length of an arm channel 58. The hinges are employed to afford adjustability for the arms of the target apparatus so that the user can position the hoop or target to a desired position. Each hinge comprises two semi-circular plates 52, which plates are spaced apart and connected via a rectangular plate 54. Spaced openings 56 are disposed along the circumferential periphery of each plate for receiving bolt members or the like therethrough, whereby the hinges can be adjustably positioned on the channel 58.

FIG. 6 is illustrative of an embodiment wherein a hinge 60 is removably attached to stem member 30. Hinge 60 comprises a shaped plate 62 having openings 62 a spaced along each side. Conventional fasteners 64 are employed to attach plate 62 to stem 30. An arm channel support member 66 is provided with a pair of legs 68 depending perpendicularly therefrom. Each leg is provided with a respective opening therethrough. A conventional fattener can be employed to pivotally attach the legs to plate 62. It should be noted that the hinge can also be attached to an arm member.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 employs a stem 30 having teeth 70 disposed on opposite outer surfaces along the length of the stem. Arm 32 has an end that terminates in a device having a pair of rollers 72 and 74 respectively abutting the above described opposite surfaces of stem 30. Rollers 72, 74 are provided with respective teeth 72 a, 74 a that are engaged with teeth 70 on the outer surfaces of stem 30. The arrangement functions similar to an automobile jack whereby arm 32 can be raised and lowered on stem 30. Manual, hydraulic or electrical apparatus can be utilized to assist the raising and lowering of the arm. Conventional means (not shown) are employed to lock the arm at a desired height.

FIG. 8 employs an arrangement wherein a plate 80 is attached to stem 30 by means of removable bolts 82, 84. Extensions 86 are employed to engage arm 32 whereby the arm is locked on plate 80.

FIG. 9 is an embodiment illustrating perspective view of an assembly of stems 30 arms or railings 32 assembled to form a support for a hard or soft bounce back target (not shown). Wheels 90 are removably attached to the stems to afford portability for the assembly.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are illustrative of an embodiment including a wheeled device 92 having a bracket portion 94 thereon. Bracket 94 is adapted to support a target therefrom. The targets can be interchanged as desired. Wheel device 92 is adapted to move back and forth on a track 96. Although illustrated as a channel arm connected to a stem, it is obvious that the track could be incorporated to move vertically in a stem if desired. It is also obvious that the wheel device could be motorized.

In FIG. 12 a vertically oriented channel or stem 32 is provided with a track for the vertical movement of a wheel 97 therein. An axle 99 extends from the wheel and has an end attached to a hinged bracket 93 of a target support frame 91 or to an arm that is attached to the frame. A wheel 95 is provided for the frame of the target. The instant embodiment allows vertical movement of a target. The wheel 97 can assume other orientations in the track to provide for vertical movement and as noted above, the wheel 97 could be motorized if desired.

Essentially, all parts in the above-described embodiments are interchangeable much like a giant erector set and can include wheels, carriages, arms stems, railings, etc of various sizes and configurations. This arrangement allows a user to design and build a customized targeting system that is limited only by the user's imagination.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. An interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus, comprising: a base; a vertical stem extending upward from the base, said stem including a plurality of vertically spaced holes; a removable, horizontally oriented channel member removably attached to said vertical stem, said channel member having a length; plural openings spaced along the length of said channel member: a first arm having a first end and a second end, apparatus for removably attaching said first end of said first arm to said removable, horizontally oriented channel member; and a first sports target member attached to said second end of said first arm.
 2. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vertical stem includes vertically telescoping sections.
 3. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus according to claim 1, further including a removable sleeve encompassing said stem and wherein said removable, horizontally oriented channel member is attached to said sleeve.
 4. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus for removably attaching said first end of said first arm to said removable, horizontally oriented channel member includes a hinge connection.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first arm has a track therein and including a wheeled device supported on said track for movement thereon. 7-11. (canceled) 